Lorne Doerkson Leads B.C. Conservatives in Snap Election
Interim leader Lorne Doerkson is unifying the B.C. Conservative Party and pledging no new taxes following a snap election call by Premier David Eby.
Premier David Eby called a snap provincial election on Tuesday, triggering a rapid reorganization of the opposition. Lorne Doerkson assumed the interim leadership of the Conservative Party of British Columbia just hours before the election call, following the resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Findlay stepped down last Sunday after a tenure of less than four months marked by internal conflict and the departure of 14 MLAs.
Doerkson has since stabilized the party, overseeing the return of resigned MLAs and the absorption of the centrist CentreBC faction. Despite expressing frustration over the timing of the snap vote, Doerkson announced plans to field candidates in all 93 ridings. During a campaign stop in Surrey on September 27, he pledged that a Conservative government would not raise or introduce new taxes, citing the affordability crisis as a top priority.
On social policy, Doerkson called for the repeal of the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) program in schools, while maintaining support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage. He criticized the New Democratic Party for economic mismanagement, specifically pointing to a large deficit and the closure of a hospital in Merritt. The NDP enters the campaign with several incumbents seeking re-election, though four cabinet ministers will not run.
